Specialty care by child neurologists

OBJECTIVE: To provide a current profile of the practice of child neurology, report the attitudes of child neurologists toward practice, and analyze the supply of child neurologists. METHODS: In March 2002, a questionnaire was sent to all active members of the Child Neurology Society (n = 1,051) and to nonmember physicians under age 70 who listed child neurology as a primary or secondary specialty on the American Medical Association Masterfile (n = 433). The response rate was 65%. Eligibility criteria were then applied to arrive at the sample of main specialty in child neurology working at least 20 hours per week in patient care. The final population was 604. Differences in practice characteristics were tested by practice type, and the number of full-time patient care child neurologists was projected by extrapolating to nonrespondents. RESULTS: There are 904 full-time patient care child neurologists in the United States and 1.27 per 100,000 children. Career satisfaction is 90%, yet no growth in the supply is projected over the next 20 years. Wait times for an appointment average 53 and 44 days for a new and return visit, with longer wait times in university settings. Average annual income is 151,000 dollars. CONCLUSION: The practice characteristics of child neurologists suggest that the specialty will be challenged to meet patient demands.